Officers spotted the car minutes later on Parkway Drive and followed it to Maryland Avenue, where the driver got out of the car and ran away.

As Sgt. Bret Richards stood in the road, the still-running car began to roll backwards and clipped him on his left side, Bond said.

Richards ended up on the trunk of the car and hung on to the spoiler as the Honda started to roll down a slight grade, Bond said. Police said he was dragged for more than 50 feet. Fearing that his leg might be crushed, the sergeant jumped off the vehicle as it picked up speed.

Richards was taken to a hospital where he was treated for bruises and road rash, then released, police said.

The car continued to roll until it hit a curb at Kiowa Drive and spun around, Bond said.

In the meantime, officers set up a four-block perimeter and searched for the driver with the help from officers of several other law agencies. They did not find him.

He was described as Latino, about 25 years old, 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with curly dark hair, wearing a gray sweat shirt and blue jeans.